Cypress announces revolutionary Gen5 TrueTouch controllers

The folks at Cypress Semiconductor have introduced their next-generation Gen5 TrueTouch controller product line that delivers the world’s most noise-immune touchscreen control technology, shattering current standards for performance in noise from all sources.

Gen5 offers unprecedented 40 volt peak-to-peak (Vpp) charger noise immunity measured from 1 to 500 kHz with an ultra-thin 0.5-mm cover lens and a finger-size up to 22 mm -- the most stringent specifications used to measure any touchscreen controller. No competing controllers deliver noise immunity over 15 Vpp under these conditions.

The Gen5 controllers have been architected with a new analog front-end that drives the touchscreen at 10 V and at high frequency with narrow-band, single-pass scanning and advanced hardware DSP filtering. Gen5’s unmatched noise immunity enables designers of next-generation handsets to implement ultra-thin, display-integrated stackups, including In-Cell, On-Cell, & direct lamination onto a noisy display. The result will be thinner, sleeker end products with no missed or false touches and low jitter (less than 0.5 mm). More information on the new Gen5 controller family is available online at touch.cypress.com

Cypress brings many other TrueTouch innovations to the Gen5 family. With Cypress’s unique and patented ability to deliver both self- and mutual-capacitance sensing on the same chip, Gen5 offers the industry’s best waterproofing for seamless performance in real-world conditions, including the presence of rain, condensation, or sweat. By combining this powerful architecture with an industry leading ARM M-Core processor that is known for high-efficiency MIPS/mW, Gen5 boasts a 120Hz refresh rates, and a deep-sleep mode that only draws 4.5 uW. The new devices currently offer up to 36 capacitive sensing I/Os for ideal sensor pitch with screens up to 5 inches and support standalone CapSense touch-sensing buttons.

Proprietary algorithms deliver Water Rejection (rejects false touches caused by the presence of moisture on the touchscreen), Wet Finger Tracking (accurately tracks a touch, even if the finger is wet), and Instant Baseline Recalibration (after clearing the screen of water).

“Cypress continues to lead the industry in touchscreen innovation and Gen5 now eliminates noise from any charger,” said John Carey, Senior Director of TrueTouch Marketing. “This removes performance issues resulting in product returns, simplifies touchscreen design, and reduces overall product costs while delivering the best touchscreen user experience.”

Touch leadershipCypress’s touch-sensing portfolio is the industry’s broadest and most well adopted, encompassing TrueTouch, CapSense, and TrackPad solutions. The company’s IP portfolio is unmatched, including true, single-layer sensor solutions for dramatically reduced touchscreen costs and self and mutual capacitance sensing on the same chip that enables advanced features such as waterproofing, proximity sensing, support for 1-mm stylus, and hover.

AvailabilityProduction samples of the new Gen5 controllers are now available to lead customers. Cypress expects to ship volume production to lead customers in the second quarter of 2013. The family will be available in a 44-pin 5 mm x 5 mm QFN with 28 sense I/Os, a 44-pin 5 mm x 5 mm QFN with 33 sense I/Os, and a 48-pin 6 mm x 6 mm QFN package with 36 sense I/Os.

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